De L'assassinat Considéré Comme UN Des Beaux-Arts

A philosophical treatise that reflects on the nature of murder, written in the early 19th century. The work explores the idea of assassination as an art form, examining the aesthetic and moral implications of murder and how society’s view of it can be shaped by artistic principles. This unique perspective suggests that De Quincey is not just interested in the act of killing but also in its representation and critique in terms of taste and aesthetics. At the start of the treatise, De Quincey introduces a fictional society that engages in the discussion and critique of murder as if it were a performance art. He provocatively suggests that viewing murder through an artistic lens can elevate the act to a level that provokes admiration rather than revulsion. The opening portion includes his warning against the moral implications of such a society, asserting his personal virtue while simultaneously dissecting the fascination with homicide. De Quincey's tone mixes irony and intellectual seriousness, setting the stage for a deeper philosophical exploration of the relationship between morality, art, and the human condition.